MAKE IT HAPPEN

• Myth: College is so expensive that my family and I can’t afford to pay for it.

  Fact:

  Many resources are available to help you pay for college, including grants, scholarships and low-interest student loans.

  Most students get some form of financial aid, and this can make going to college possible even if the family cannot afford the full cost.

  One essential step is to fill out the U.S. government’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal government and most colleges use this form to determine students’ financial aid needs.

  Consult your high school guidance counselor about grants and scholarship programs for which you might be eligible.

  Also, ask the financial aid offices at the colleges to which you are applying what scholarships and student work programs they offer.

• Myth: I don’t have the grades to get in to college. 

  Fact:

  There is a place for any student who wants to go to college.

  Many colleges have programs designed to support students who need some extra help. You might want to enroll in a two-year college to strengthen your skills before transferring to a four-year college. Your high school guidance counselor can help figure out what would be best for you.

• Myth: I don’t need to go to college to get a good job and earn enough money.

  Fact:

  A college degree is required for more jobs than ever.

  College graduates earn more—an average of 57.1 percent more—than high school graduates. A certificate or degree may be a requirement for the job or career you want. Ask your guidance counselor.
  
  

• Myth: I can wait to plan and apply to college in my senior year.
  

  Fact:

  It’s never too early to plan for college. In fact, you should start in ninth grade.
  

  Make sure you are taking the necessary classes and exams that will get you to graduation on time, starting with earning 11 credits a year and passing at least one Regents exam in ninth grade.
  

  Throughout high school, think about what colleges and careers you might like. Visit college Web sites and campuses to get a sense of the type of school you would like to attend and learn what the admissions requirements are.
  

  
  

• Myth: I don’t have anyone to help me figure out the college planning and application processes.
  

  Fact:

  Your high school guidance counselor is a great resource and can help you start planning for college as early as ninth grade.

  Your guidance counselor can help you create a four-year plan of classes and exams to ensure that you graduate on time. He or she can also help you decide which colleges to apply to and how to manage the application process. Don’t wait for your high school guidance counselor to make an appointment with you—be proactive! A good relationship with your counselor is a shared responsibility.

  
  

• Myth: My performance as a senior in high school isn’t important.
  

  FACT:

  Colleges review the classes you take and the grades you earn in your senior year.
  

  The colleges you apply to will look at your entire transcript to determine if you take your education seriously and whether or not to admit you. And even after admitting you, colleges might follow up to see your final senior year grades.